5-4 victory over Clemson puts Tide one win away from Omaha

Alabama's Jake Smith (14) leaps in the air as Clemson's Chris Epps slides into third in the Crimson Tide's NCAA Super Regional win over the Tigers on Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson. (AP Photo / Patrick Collard)

CLEMSON, S.C. -- The road to Omaha now is a short one for Alabama.

The Crimson Tide scored four unearned runs in the third inning to take a 5-0 lead, and it held on to defeat Clemson 5-4 on Saturday night in the opening game of a best-of-three NCAA Super Regional game.

The Tide got a home run from Jake Smith to lead off the second inning, and it got four singles from Taylor Dugas, including a bunt single on the first pitch of the game. It was one of seven bunts by the Tide.

Dugas started the third inning with a single to center field off Clemson starter Casey Harman (7-3). Josh Rutledge reached first base on an error by Harman, who couldn't handle a sacrifice bunt. The runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Ross Wilson. Clay Jones was hit by a pitch.

After Smith struck out, it looked as if Harman was out of the inning when Jon Kelton grounded to third, but John Hinson dropped the ball and a run scored. Andrew Miller followed with a two-run single and Brett Booth added a one-run single.

Clemson scored three runs off Alabama starter Jimmy Nelson (9-3) with a walk, four singles and a sacrifice fly.

Nelson pitched out of trouble in the fifth, as Clemson loaded the bases with one out before Brad Miller grounded into a double play.

The Tigers added a run in the sixth on a two-out RBI triple by pinch-hitter Chris Epps, but they stranded three runners in the seventh when relief pitcher Jonathan Smart got Richie Shaffer to fly out to right field for the third out.

Clemson threatened again in the eighth, but Smith relieved and got an inning-ending double play to escape a two-on, one-out jam.

Smith set the Tigers down in order in the ninth, striking out Jeff Schaus and Kyle Parker and getting Brad Miller to ground out to shortstop.